Opposition

As this year’s general election approaches, candidates are already airing millions in attack ads. It’s that season. For us at The HSUS, it’s always that season. Puppy millers, sealers, factory farmers, and others attack and criticize us about everything we do–not because we don’t use . . .

Notorious Washington, D.C. lobbyist Rick Berman is taking aim again at our campaigns to combat animal cruelty. One of his front groups―something he calls "HumaneWatch"―aired a TV ad during last night’s Academy Awards attacking The Humane Society of the United States. He doesn’t attack us . . .

Supporters of The HSUS can see our results in the form of animals rescued, cruelty prevented, and awareness built. I’m also glad to report that both The HSUS and Humane Society International just received four stars, the highest rating, from the independent charity evaluator Charity Navigator.

You can tell a lot about someone by his friends, but also by his enemies. In their own words, here’s what some of our traditional adversaries in the agribusiness industry have to say about the strength of The HSUS.

Rick Berman thinks smoking isn’t bad for you. He thinks Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other groups that try to stop drunk drivers from killing people are too extreme. Berman also attacks The HSUS, which puts us in good company.

Much our work isn’t controversial—our raids on squalid puppy mills, our veterinary programs that help pets on impoverished Native American reservations, or our care centers that treat and rehabilitate horses and wild animals. That said, there’s nothing wrong with being deemed controversial among those involved in factory farming, trophy hunting, and other sectors that harm animals.

For the past few years, PR operative Rick Berman has been running an advertising campaign against The HSUS. While he wages his smear campaign, our staff continue to care for animals at our sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers, rescue pets from cruelty and disasters, crack down on animal fighting, promote shelter pet adoption, improve conditions for farm animals, and more.

Industries that profit from animal abuse attack HSUS not because we don’t do enough, but precisely the opposite — because, especially from their perch, we do too much. The last thing they want is an organization like HSUS with a strong public reputation, the courage to confront cruelty, and the campaigning tools to match.

The Humane Society of the United States is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to The Humane Society of the United States are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The HSUS's tax identification number is 53-0225390.